The centenary celebrations at Cromer Lawn Tennis and Squash Association start in earnest on Monday, when the Norwich Road courts play host to Men's Group Two in the Lawn Tennis Association Inter-County Cup, which is known as County Week.

The centenary celebrations at Cromer Lawn Tennis and Squash Association start in earnest on Monday, when the Norwich Road courts play host to Men's Group Two in the Lawn Tennis Association Inter-County Cup, which is known as County Week.

Thirty or so years ago, players of the calibre of Virginia Wade and Mark Cox came to Cromer to represent their counties in County Week. Today the majority of leading British players forget where they learned their tennis, but it is still a great honour for players to play for their counties in County Week, and although there are no umpires, no linesmen, no ball boys and certainly no prize money, some top-class and exciting doubles matches always take place.

Six county teams descend upon each venue and during the course of the week each county plays the five other counties in the group. The top two counties in the group gain promotion, while the bottom two are relegated.

This year the six counties playing at Cromer will be Derbyshire and Essex, both of whom were relegated from Division One last year, Dorset and Surrey, who are making welcome returns to Cromer for a second successive year, and Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire, who were both promoted from Division Three.

At this stage it is not known who will be representing their counties but there will certainly be some stars of the future and some experienced campaigners, and spectators are guaranteed some exciting doubles play.

Play starts each day at 10.30am and admission is free. Further details can be obtained from the club (01263 513741)

Club manager Danny Holdom said: “It is a tremendous honour for Cromer to be allocated Men's Group Two and a testament to the wonderful grass courts we have here. Both the Men's and Ladies' Group One matches are always played at Eastbourne, so this is as high as we can go.

“We extend a warm welcome to all the players, officials and supporters, as well as spectators, locals and holiday-makers alike.”

Following on from County Week, and starting on Monday, July 28, is the 53rd Junior Open tournament which has attracted some 250 entrants, and then in the week commencing August 11, the 89th Senior Tournament, which was first held in 1908, will take place.